Forward mounted rail and associated lighting device

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a mounting apparatus for forward illumination devices on firearms, particularly long guns. The invention is mounted on the forward sight mount of a firearm and positions a mounting rail below said sight but above the barrel of the firearm, thereby positioning a light source, or any other device, unobtrusively along the line of sight of the user. Various devices may be mounted in this manner, including pointing devices and illumination devices. In order to provide greater control of the device to the user, power and control switches may be mounted behind the mounting device and closer to the stock, hand guard or grip of the weapon.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention is a non-provisional perfection of prior Provisional application No. 60/594,228, filed Mar. 21, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of mounting devices for rifles and more particularly relates to a forward mounted mounting device and an associated lighting device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Users of firearms regularly modify their weapons for increases efficiency and utility. One standard modification is the addition of a forward illumination system, so that a target may be illuminated before shooting; or, so that, during an in darkness search, the weapon is already trained on the illuminated spot. Numerous devices have been designed to adequately mount a light or any other device towards the fore end of the weapon. Most are mounted on the side of the hand guard, under the barrel, or further back on the weapon, as there are usually mounting rails in these locations. However, these locations are not ideal for placement of an illumination device. In these positions, there is never a total harmony with the location of the light beam and the bullet path. Also, in the event a user is looking and firing around walls and over barricades, there can be severe disharmony between light and path.

What is needed, therefore, is a light mounted in a location that is ideal for illumination of the bullet path, specifically on top of the barrel of the rifle, while simultaneously not obstructing the user's line of sight.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of light mounts, this invention provides an improved forward light mount. As such, the present invention's general purpose is to provide a new and improved forward light mount that will perfectly illuminate the bullet path while simultaneously not obstruct the user's line of sight. Likewise, any other beneficial device may also be mounted on the present invention, most notably laser pointing devices. To fulfill this purpose, the invention comprises a bracket, mountable on the front sight mount of a weapon. Extending cantileverally from said bracket and below the front sight is a mounting rail of conventional style. In another embodiment, a light source is mounted on the rail while power and controls are located behind the invention, more towards the stock, hand guard, and/or grip of the weapon, to further lessen obscurity of the user's sight line.

The more important features of the invention have thus been outlined in order that the more detailed description that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may better be appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter and will form the subject matter of the claims that follow.

Many objects of this invention will appear from the following description and appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention installed on a rifle.

FIG. 2 is a close up plan view of the invention of FIG. 1

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the invention and front sight mount along line A-A in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of the invention and front sight mount taken along line B-B in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, the preferred embodiment of the forward mounting rail is herein described. It should be noted that the articles “a”, “an” and “the”, as used in this specification, include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

Referring to FIG. 1, the invention comprises a bracket 2 mounted on front sight frame 8 of rifle 1. Bracket is held securely by bracket jaw 4 being bolted to bracket 2 with bolts 9 shown in FIG. 2. Extending cantileverally away from bracket 2 is mounting rail 6, which may be of any style of mounting rail including WEAVER or PICATINNY type. This position places the rail, and associated mounted light source, above barrel 10 and in front of hand guard 12.

In FIG. 4, it can be seen that bracket 2 frames front sight 14. This leads to an additional advantage if illuminated inserts 16 are placed on bracket 2 as shown. Inserts may be of any standard type, including tritium or other glowing inserts. As a result, front sight mount 14 is evenly bracketed by inserts 16 to allow for aiming the rifle in low light situations.

Lighting, illumination and targeting systems may be of any rail mounted type for use in conjunction with this mount. An ideal device will allow for forward mounting and simultaneous mounting of power supply and controls behind the mount. As an example, power may be mounted inside the grip or butt stock while controls may be mounted on the hand guard 12, grip or butt stock. In so doing, obtrusiveness is limited and the user's line of sight is clearer.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, numerous modifications and variations can be made and still the result will come within the scope of the invention. No limitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein is intended or should be inferred. 

1. A light mount for a rifle comprising: a bracket; a bracket jaw; securement means to affix bracket jaw to bracket; and a mounting rail cantileverally mounted upon the bracket; Wherein the bracket and bracket jaw are configured to tightly fit around a front sight mount of the rifle when joined. 